JPH07245696A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an image accurately in a prescribed direction by detecting whether an image on the rear side of an original is a at normal image or a reverse image with respect to an image of the front side. CONSTITUTION:When the operation is started, set originals are sequentially positioned accurately on an original platen glass 18 from a lowermost original of the set originals by using a paper feed roller 501. A scanner 19 reads a lower side of the original in this state and when the reading is finished, the original is U-turned by a reverse roller 507 and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 511. The original led again under a belt 106 is carried at a prescribed speed depending on a copy magnification by the belt 106 and passes on the scanner 19 in standby at the rear side read position during carrying and the scanner 19 reads the rear side of the original. When the reading is finished, the belt 506 is again reversed and a reverse roller 507 leads the original under the belt 506 and the original is discharged onto the tray 511 by using the reverse roller 509. Thus, the front side of the original is set upward.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for scanning an image on a document to read image data and forming an image on a sheet based on the read image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for reading image data of a document placed on a document table by operating a scanner in a sub scanning direction has been proposed and implemented. There is. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-03
Japanese Patent No. 738 discloses an apparatus that reads the size of a document when the scanner moves forward and reads image data when the scanner moves backward. In the above apparatus, since the preliminary scan for detecting the document size is unnecessary, the productivity of copying can be improved. In this case, the scanner reads the image data of the document as shown in FIG. That is, the scanner reads image data of a document placed on the platen glass in the main scanning direction, and moves in the sub scanning direction by a driving device such as a motor (not shown). The image forming apparatus is based on the image data read by the scanner.
As shown in (b), a document image is formed on a sheet and is output.

The copied sheet is discharged as shown in FIG. 1B, but an image is provided with a sheet binding device such as a staple sorter or a finisher for designating a staple position at the lower right position of the sheet. In the case of the forming apparatus, if the read image data is formed on the paper as it is, the image is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the staple position with respect to the image is out of order. Therefore, in order to properly operate the stapling apparatus, it is necessary to rotate the image formed on the sheet by 180 degrees.

A general automatic document feeder provided in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus is convenient for copying a large amount of documents or executing double-sided copying. Figure 3 (a)
When the portrait original whose left side is bound as shown in FIG. 4 is placed horizontally with respect to the paper feeding direction, the original placed on the original glass platen, as shown in FIG. In the same direction. However, when a portrait original whose upper side is bound as shown in FIG. 3 (b) is placed sideways with respect to the sheet passing direction, the original placed on the original platen glass is shown in FIG. 4 (B). As shown, the front and back are rotated 180 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the landscape original bound on the left side is placed vertically with respect to the sheet passing direction, the original placed on the original platen glass is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the direction is the same for both front and back. However, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4D, when the landscape original that is bound on the upper side is vertically oriented in the sheet feeding direction, the original placed on the original platen glass is placed on the front and back sides as shown in FIG.
It is rotated by 80 degrees.

In a so-called 2-in-1 mode copy in which two original images are formed by combining them on one sheet, the two originals are reproduced as shown in FIG. 5, regardless of whether the originals are single-sided / double-sided originals. Both images are required to be formed in the same direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a portrait original that is top-stitched, the orientations of the images on the front surface and the back surface of the original are opposite. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a single-sided original may have a normal image and a reverse image alternately arranged. That is, in these cases, in order to obtain the output shown in FIG. 5, it is necessary to rotate 180 degrees when forming an image in the state of an inverted image on a sheet.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, since the reading direction of the image data of the original is always constant, the direction of the image formed on the paper is also constant. Therefore, in the above case, in order to always make the image formed on the sheet a normal image, it is necessary to provide a special rotation processing unit inside the apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device which can always output an image in the correct direction.

[0008]

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention can read image data of a document placed on a document table in a main scanning direction and a direction opposite to the main scanning direction. Image pickup means, a moving means capable of moving the image pickup means in the sub-scanning direction and a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, and an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on image data read by the image pickup means. A first setting means for selectively setting a reverse image mode for forming a reverse image of a document on a sheet and a normal image mode for forming a normal image of a document on the sheet; When the image mode is set, the image data of the original is read from the main scanning direction by the image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit is moved in the sub scanning direction by the moving unit,
When the reverse image mode is set by the first setting unit, the image pickup unit reads the image data of the original document in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction, and the moving unit moves the image pickup unit in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. And a control means for controlling.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a paper binding device that binds a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means by stacking them. A second setting unit that selectively sets a staple mode using the paper binding device and a non-staple mode not using the paper binding device is provided, and the first setting unit sets the staple mode by the second setting unit. The reverse image mode is set in this case, and the normal image mode is set in the case where the non-staple mode is set by the second setting means.

In the image forming apparatus described in claim 3,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A placement direction detecting unit that detects that the document placed on the document table is placed in a direction in which the document is placed in the opposite direction to the document placed immediately before, and the document direction is detected by the placement direction detecting unit. It is characterized by further comprising switching means for switching the mode set by the first setting means when it is detected that the original placed on the document is oriented in a direction in which the image is reversed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the placement direction detecting means is such that the short side of the document is parallel to the image pickup means. Alternatively, the set direction detecting means for detecting whether the long sides of the original are parallel to each other, the original direction detecting means for detecting whether the original is a portrait original or a landscape original, and the image on the back side of the original are It is provided with a back surface detection means for detecting whether it is a normal image or a reverse image with respect to the front surface image, and based on the detection results from the set direction detection means, the document direction detection means, and the back surface detection means, It is characterized in that the placement direction of the document is detected.

[0012]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the normal image mode is set by the first setting means, as shown in FIG. 1B, the image pickup means reads the image data of the original in the main scanning direction. At the same time, the moving means moves the image pickup means in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, the normal image reading operation is executed. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet based on the read image data (see FIG. 1B). On the other hand, when the reverse image mode is set by the first setting unit, the image pickup unit reads the image data of the document from the direction opposite to the main scanning direction, and the moving unit moves the image pickup unit in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. Move to. As a result, the image data of the original is read in the order completely opposite to that in the normal image mode. Therefore, the image formed on the paper by the image forming means is
180 for the image formed in the normal image mode
The image is rotated once.

In the case where a paper binding device is provided,
The first setting unit sets the reverse image mode when the staple mode is set by the second setting unit, and sets the normal image mode when the non-staple mode is set by the second setting unit. As a result, when the staple mode is set, an image rotated 180 degrees with respect to the image formed on the sheet in the normal image mode is formed on the sheet as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

Further, the placement direction detecting means can detect that the document placed on the document table is placed in a direction in which it becomes an opposite image to the document placed immediately before. . The switching means is configured to detect the first direction when the placement direction detecting means and the placement direction detecting means detect that the original placed on the original table is placed in a direction in which an image is reversed.
The mode set by the setting means is switched.

Here, the placement direction detecting means described above includes a set direction detecting means for detecting whether the short side of the document is located parallel to the image pickup means or the long side of the document is located parallel to the image capturing means. A document orientation detection unit that detects whether the document is a portrait document or a landscape document, and detects whether the image on the back of the document is a normal image or a reverse image of the front image. It is preferable to provide a back surface detecting means for doing so. In this case, the placement direction of the document is detected based on the detection results from the set direction detection unit, the document direction detection unit, and the back surface detection unit.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus of this embodiment reads image data of a document from a direction opposite to a main scanning direction by a scanner which is an image pickup means and moves the scanner in a direction opposite to a sub scanning direction. be able to. That is, by reading the image data in the reverse order of the normal image reading, the image formed during the normal copying is
An image rotated by 80 degrees is formed on a sheet. The reading direction of the image pickup means is switched depending on the type of the document such as portrait document or landscape document, the placement direction of the document, and the presence / absence of the staple mode setting. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings. (1) Configuration of digital copying machine (1-1) Overall configuration of digital copying machine (1-2) Operation panel OP (1-3) Control unit (2) Processing in each CPU (2-1) In CPU1 Process (2-1-1) Main routine (2-1-2) Input control process (2-2) Process by CPU3 (2-3) Process by CPU5 (2-3-1) Main routine (2- 3-2) Command setting (2-4) Processing by CPU 7 (2-4-1) Main routine (2-4-2) Original size detection

(1) Configuration of Digital Copying Machine (1-1) Overall Configuration of Digital Copying Machine FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of the digital copying machine 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation panel OP provided on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 includes a scanning system 10 for reading a document and converting it into an image signal, and a scanning system 10
An image signal processing unit 20 for processing an image signal sent from
Based on the image data input from the memory unit unit 30 and the memory unit unit 30 that switches the image data input from the image processing unit 20 as it is to the printer device or stores it in the memory. The print processing unit 40 for driving the semiconductor laser 62, the optical system 60 for guiding the laser light from the semiconductor laser 62 to the exposure position on the photoconductor drum 71, and the latent image formed by the exposure is developed and printed on the sheet. An image forming system 70 for transferring and fixing and forming an image, and an operation panel OP provided on the upper surface of the main body.
A document transport unit 500 that transports a document and reverses the front and back as necessary, and a finisher unit 5 that binds sheets.
With 0 and.

The reading device IR comprises a scanning system 10 and an image signal processing section 20. The scanning system 10 is a platen glass 18
An exposure lamp 11 and a first mirror 12 assembled to a scanner 19 that moves below, fixed lenses 13a and 13b, a condenser lens 14, a photoelectric conversion element 16 using a CCD array, and a scan. It is composed of a motor M2 and the like. The photoelectric conversion element 16 converts the read image data into an electric signal.

The image signal processing section 20 includes a photoelectric conversion element 16
The image signal output from the memory unit unit 3 is processed and processed.
Image data is output for 0. Memory unit section 3
Details of 0 will be described later. The printer device PRT includes a print processing unit 40, an optical system 60, and an image forming system 70.
The print processing unit 40 gives them to the semiconductor laser 62 according to the sent image data. The optical system 60 includes a semiconductor laser 62, a polygon mirror 65 that deflects the combined laser beam, a main lens 69, a reflection mirror 67a, and
It is composed of a reflection mirror 67c.

The image forming system 70 comprises a developing and transferring system 70A, a conveying system 70B and a fixing system 70C. Development transfer system 70A
Is a photosensitive drum 7 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.
1 and a peripheral portion of the first charger 72a, a first developing device 73a, a transfer charger 74, a separation charger 75, and a cleaning unit 76, which are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the rotation direction. The first developing device 73a contains a two-component developer including toner and carrier. Transport system 7
0B is a cassette 80a and 80b for accommodating sheets, size detection sensors SE11 and SE for detecting the sheet size.
12, a paper guide 81, a timing roller 82, and a conveyor belt 83. The fixing system 70C includes a fixing roller 84 that conveys a sheet while thermocompressing the sheet, a discharge roller 85, and a discharge sensor SE62 that detects discharge of the sheet.

The document feeder 500 includes a document feed tray 51.
The original set on 0 is automatically conveyed onto the original glass 18, and after the original is read by the scanner 19, the original is ejected to the original ejecting section 511. The document transport unit 500 includes a paper feed roller 501, a sorting roller 502, a sorting pad 503,
Intermediate roller 504, registration roller 505, conveyor belt 506, reversing roller 507, switching claw 508, discharge roller 509, paper feed tray 510, paper discharge tray 511, original scale 512, paper feed sensor SE51 and discharge sensor S.
It is composed of E52. 1 in single-sided mode
One or more originals are set on the paper feed tray 510 with the side to be read facing upward. When the operation is started, the lowermost originals of the set originals are sequentially fed to the paper feed roller 501.
And is accurately positioned on the original glass 18. At this time, the leading edge of the next document is the registration roller 5
The time required to convey the next document is shortened. In this state, the scanner 19 scans and reads the front surface (lower surface) of the original. When the reading of the original is completed, the original is conveyed to the left by the conveyor belt 506, makes a U-turn by the reversing roller 507, passes above the switching claw 508, and is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 511 by the ejection roller 509. At this time, the document is ejected with its reading surface (front surface) facing upward. Further, in the double-sided mode, the reading of the front surface of the document is similar to that in the single-sided mode, but the switching claw 508 is switched so that its left end faces upward while the scanner 19 is scanning. The original being conveyed whose surface has been read makes a U-turn with the reversing roller 507, and then the switching claw 508.
Of the re-conveyor belt 506, passing under the
Is led below. Meanwhile, the scanner 19 moves to the left when the reading of the front side of the document is completed, and stands by at the back side reading position according to the length of the document. Here, the back surface reading position is a position where the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document match when the document makes a U-turn with the reversing roller 507, that is, the length of the document that has returned around the reversing roller 507. This is a position slightly to the right of the position that matches the length of. Therefore, the back surface reading position changes depending on the length of the document. When the leading edge and the trailing edge of the upper surface of the document glass 18 do not match because the document is short, the left end of the document glass 18 is the back surface reading position. The length of the document is detected by the paper feed sensor SE51 during the transportation of the document. Conveyor belt 5
The original guided below 06 is conveyed rightward by the reverse conveyor belt 506 at a constant speed according to the copy magnification, and passes above the scanner 19 waiting at the back side reading position during the conveyance. This allows the back side of the document to be read during conveyance. When the front and back of the original have been scanned,
The transport belt 506 is rotated in the reverse direction to transport the document to the left. After being reversed by the reversing roller 507 and guided to the lower side of the conveying belt 506, the left end of the document conveyed to the right reaches the conveying belt 506, and then is conveyed to the left again, and is discharged by the reversing roller 509. It is discharged onto the tray 511. As a result, the original is ejected with its surface facing upward.

Next, the structure and operation of the finisher unit 50 will be described. When the non-staple mode is set, the switching claw 52 is set to a position slightly rotated in the arrow c direction from the actual position in the drawing. The sheet sent through the receiving roller 51 is guided by its upper surface. The sheets are stacked and stored on the elevating / shifting tray 55 from the discharging roller 54 via the conveying roller 53. The tray 55 can be lowered stepwise according to the stacking amount of sheets, and can be reciprocally moved in the horizontal direction. The tray 55 moves a fixed amount in the horizontal direction after completion of one cycle of the copying process, and Sort the copy sheets of the group.

On the other hand, when the staple mode is set, the switching claw 62 is set to the practice position in the figure. At this time, the sheets are guided downward by the left side surface of the switching claw 52, and are stacked and stored from the storage roller 56 onto the alignment tray 57. The stapler 60 has a well-known mechanism for punching at a predetermined position of a sheet bundle by needle-shaped staples. The punch 61 has a two-hole specification and a three-hole specification, and one of them is incorporated in the finisher unit 50.

The aligning tray 57 is composed of a base plate 57a and an aligning plate 57b, and the aligning plate 57b is rotatable about a support shaft 57c as a fulcrum between a solid line position and a chain line position in the figure. The aligning plate 57b is normally set to the position indicated by the solid line, and in this state, the sheets are accommodated, aligned, stapled, and / or punched. When the necessary processing is completed, the aligning plate 57b is rotated to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, and the bundle of processed sheets starts to slide from the aligning tray 57 by its own weight, and is stacked and stored in the stacker 67 via the take-out roller 65, the discharge roller 66, and the stacker 67. . A sensor SE is provided just before the discharge roller 66.
7 is arranged to detect the discharged sheet bundle. S
E100 detects whether or not the finisher unit 50 is mounted.

(1-2) Operation Panel OP FIG. 8 is a front view of the operation panel OP. Operation panel O
P includes a liquid crystal touch panel 91, a ten-key pad 92 for inputting a numeral and a magnification, a clear key 93 for returning the numeral to a standard value "1", a set value in the copying machine 1 and the like. There is provided a panel reset key 94 for returning the display to the display, a stop key 95 for stopping the copy operation, and a start key 96 for starting the copy operation.

The liquid crystal touch panel 91 displays various states of the copying machine 1 such as occurrence of JAM, occurrence of service man call, occurrence of paper empty, exposure level, magnification, operation mode of the copying machine 1 such as paper, and various other information. Display and input to select operation mode. The document direction selection key 103 sets whether the document is a portrait or a landscape. The original selection key 100 sets whether the original is double-sided or single-sided. The copy selection key 101 selects either double-sided copy or single-sided copy. N
The in1 selection key 102 selects 1in1 mode (normal copy), 2in1 mode, or 4in1 mode. The binding margin direction selection key 99 selects whether to bind the binding margin to the left side or the upper side. Finishing mode key 98
The output mode selection key 97 for switching between the non-staple mode and the staple mode can select a high production mode or a high image quality mode. Here, in the high production mode, the image data stored in the image memory 304 is used to execute the copying process for the set number of times. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of scans and increase the copy production amount per unit time. In the high image quality mode, the IR and the printer operate in synchronization with each copy operation. In the high image quality mode, the copy production efficiency is lower than in the high production mode, but a high image quality copy can be obtained by quickly responding to subtle changes in the document over time.

(1-3) Control Unit FIGS. 9 and 10 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the copying machine 1. The control unit 100 has eight CPUs 1
8 to 8 and each of the CPUs 1 to 8 has a ROM 111 to 118 storing a program, and a RAM 121 serving as a work area for executing the program.
~ 128 are provided. The CPU 6 is provided in the memory unit section 30 (see FIG. 11).

The CPU 1 controls the input and display of signals from various operation keys of the operation panel OP. The CPU 2 controls each part of the image signal processing unit 20. The CPU 3 controls the driving of the scanning system 10. That is, the scanning control such as the driving direction of the scanner motor M2 and whether the image data of the original is read in the main scanning direction or the direction opposite to the main scanning direction, and the intensity control of the exposure lamp 11 are executed. CPU4
Controls the print processing unit 40, the optical system 60, and the image forming system 70. The CPU 5 performs processing for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100 and setting operation modes. The CPU 6 stores the image data read by controlling the memory unit section 30 in a memory (image memory 30
The data is temporarily stored in 4), read out, and output to the print processing unit 40. Thereby, the reading device IR and the printer device P
The RT is controlled independently to improve the copy speed. Details will be described later. The CPU 7 controls the document feeding section 500. The CPU 8 controls the finisher unit 50. Serial communication by interruption is performed between these CPUs 1 to 8 to exchange commands, reports, and other data. Note that the paper size detection sensor SE
The signals from 11 and 12 are input to the image forming system I / O 77, and the size of the copy paper is managed by the CPU 4.

The image signal processing section 20 includes an A / D converter, a shading correction section, a color discrimination section for discriminating the color of a pixel of an original document based on image data, a scaling processing section, an image quality correction section, and a main scanning direction. It is composed of a line memory for reversing the order of the read image data. The scanning system 10 may be controlled at the time of reading the original so that the image data is read from the direction opposite to the main scanning direction. In this case, the line memory can be dispensed with, and the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Image signal processing unit 20
Thus, the image signal input from the photoelectric conversion element 16 is quantized into 8-bit image data for each pixel, subjected to various processing, and then output as image data D2.
At the same time, 1-bit color data DC indicating whether or not a specific color designated corresponding to each pixel of the image data D2 is output.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the memory unit section 30. The memory unit section 30 includes a switching section 301,
A binarization processing unit 302 that creates binary data based on parameter settings from the CPU 6, and a multi-port image memory 3 having a capacity of one A4 size page at 400 dpi.
04, a code processing unit 305 having a compressor 311 and an expander 312 that can operate independently of each other, a code memory 306 having a multi-port, a multi-value processing for creating multi-value data based on parameter setting from the CPU 6. Part 30
8 and a CPU 6 for controlling all of them. In the image memory 304, which is image data of an original composed of X × Y pixel data, and when the X direction is a column address and the Y direction is a row address, the writing of the image data is started from the address (0, 0). . After the writing of the data of the first row in the X direction is completed, the data of the next row is written in the X direction. The binarization processing performed by the binarization processing unit 302 is not simple binarization, but includes pseudo halftone binarization such as dither processing.

When the image data D2 is written in the image memory 304, the code processing unit 305 reads the data and compresses the data to create code data, and writes the code data in the code memory 306. Further, in accordance with a command from the CPU 6, the code data written in the code memory 306 is read and expanded to create image data, which is stored in the image memory 304.
Write in. When one page of image data is generated in the image memory 304 by decompression, the image data is read.
The multi-value conversion processing unit 308 generates multi-value image data based on the data read from the image memory, and this is output as image data D3. The compressor 311 and the expander 312 are independent of each other and can operate in parallel. Between the compressor 311 and the decompressor 312, and the code memory 306, the data is not shown in the DMA.
DMA transfer is performed by C.

(2) Processing in each CPU (2-1) Processing in CPU 1 (2-1-1) Main routine FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 1. The CPU 1 controls the input and display of signals from various operation keys of the operation panel OP. After the initial setting (step S1100), the internal timer is started to monitor the routine for a constant time (steps S1200 and S1600), and the input control process (step S130) is performed on the operation panel OP and the like.
0) and the display control process (step S1400), other processes are performed (step S1500).
The CPU 1 communicates with other CPUs 2 to 8 by interrupt processing.

(2-1-2) Input Control Processing FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowcharts of the input processing executed in step S1300. In the input process, the display is switched according to the operation of the operation key on the operation panel OP by the user, and the setting change such as the mode associated with the key operation is transmitted to the CPU 5.

When the output mode selection key 97 is pressed (YES in step S1301), the high production mode is set (LED 97a is turned on) (step S1).
(YES in 302), set the high image quality mode in step S1304 (LED 97a is turned off, LED 97b is turned on)
To do. If the high image quality mode is set (LED 97b is turned on) (NO in step S1302), the high production mode is set (LED 97 in step S1303).
b is turned off and LED 97a is turned on. Then, the mode change is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S130).
5).

If the original selection key 100 is pressed (YES in step S1306) and the double-sided original mode is set (LED 100a is lit) (NO in step S1307), the single-sided original mode is set (LED).
Turn off 100a and turn on LED 100b) (step S
1308). Also, set the single-sided original mode (LED1
00b is turned on) (Y in step S1307)
ES), and set the double-sided original mode (LED 100b off, LED 100a on) (step S130).
9). Then, the mode change is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S1310).

When the finishing mode setting key 98 is pressed (YES in step S1311), the finisher unit is not attached (N in step S1312).
The process returns to O) with both the LED 98a and the LED 98b turned off. On the other hand, when the finisher unit is attached (YES in step S1312)
And the non-staple mode is set (LED98
If a is turned on (Y in step S1313)
ES), in step S1315, the staple mode is set (LED 98a is turned off and LED 98b is turned on). If the staple mode is set (the LED 98b is turned on) (NO in step S1313), the non-staple mode is set (LE in step S1314).
D98b is turned off and LED98a is turned on. Then, the mode change is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S131).
6).

If the copy selection key 101 is pressed (YES in step S1317) and the single-sided copy mode is set (LED 101b is lit) (YES in step S1318), the double-sided copy mode is set (LED 101b is off, The LED 101a is turned on) (step S1320). If the double-sided copy mode is set (LED 101a is lit) (NO in step S1318), the single-sided copy mode is set (LE
D101a is turned off and LED101b is turned on) (step S1319). After this, change the copy mode by the CPU 5
(Step S1321).

When the Nin1 selection key 102 is pressed (YES in step S1321), when the 1in1 mode is set (LED 102a is lit) (YES in step S1322), the 2in1 mode is set (LED 102a is off, LED 102a is lit). ) (Step S1323). 2in1 mode set (LED
If 102b is turned on (YES in step S1324), the 4in1 mode is set (LED 102b is turned off, LED 102c is turned on) (step S132).
5). 4in1 mode set (LED102c lights up)
If yes (NO in step S1324), 1 in
Set 1 mode (LED102c off, LED102
a is turned on) (step S1326). Then, the mode change is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S1326).

When the original direction selection key 103 is pressed (YES in step S1328), the original direction is not designated (LED 103a and LED 10).
3b both lights off) (N in step S1331)
O), and in step S1333, the portrait direction is designated (LED 103a is turned on). If the document direction is designated as the portrait direction (the LED 103a is turned on) (YES in step S1329), step S1330.
To specify the landscape direction (LED 103a off, LED 103b on). If the direction of the document is designated as the landscape direction (LED 103b is turned on) (YES in step S1321), step S133.
In step 2, the original direction is not specified (both the LED 103a and the LED 103b are turned off). After that, the change of the designation of the document direction is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S133).
4).

When the binding margin selection key 99 is pressed (YES in step S1335) and the mode for binding the margin on the left side of the sheet is set (LED 99a is lit) (YES in step S1336). In step S1337, a mode in which a binding margin is provided on the upper side of the sheet is set (LED 99a is turned off and LED 99b is turned on). Further, when the mode in which the binding margin is provided on the upper side of the sheet is set (the LED 99b is turned on) (step S
If YES at 1338), no binding margin is set (LED 99b is turned off) at step S1339. If no binding margin is set (both LED99a and LED99b are turned off) (NO in step S1338), step S
At 1340, the mode in which the binding margin is provided on the left is set. After that, the change of the binding margin setting mode is transmitted to the CPU 5 (step S1341).

(2-2) Processing by CPU3 FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the CPU3NO processing routine. The CPU 3 controls the scanning system 10. After the initial setting (step S3100), the internal timer is started (step S3200), and the routine time is monitored to be constant (step S3700). CPU5
When a scan command is received from (step S3
300), the direction of the scan control that has already been sent is checked (step S3400). Here, when the reverse scan control is set (N in step S5400)
O), and reverse scan control is executed in the next step S3600. In the reverse scan control, as shown in FIG. 1A, the image data of the original is read from the main scanning direction by the scanner including the image pickup device, and the scanner is moved in the sub scanning direction by the scan motor M2. The image obtained by this reading operation becomes a normal image as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the normal scan control is set by the CPU 5 (YES in step S5400), the normal scan control is executed in the next step S3500. The normal scan control is control for forming an image on the paper in a state in which an image formed on the paper by a normal copying operation is rotated by 180 degrees. Specifically, the image data of the original read by the scanner in the main scanning direction is temporarily stored in the line memory, and the data is output in the direction opposite to the storage direction. This makes it possible to obtain data obtained by reading the image data of the document in the direction opposite to the main scanning direction. Then, the scanner is moved in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction by rotating the scan motor M2 in the reverse direction. The image data read in this way is the same as the image data read in reverse scan control in the completely reversed order. Therefore, the image formed on the sheet based on the data is an image obtained by rotating the image under the reverse scan control by 180 degrees. Therefore, unlike the conventional image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to temporarily store all the read image data in the memory and perform a rotation process on the stored image data. As a result, the required memory capacity can be significantly reduced. Further, since the situation of the rotation processing unit is unnecessary, the structure of the device can be simplified. In addition, it is not necessary to perform rotation control processing or the like for each original image to be combined even when copying in the 2in1 mode or the 4in1 mode.

(2-3) Processing by CPU 5 (2-3-1) Main Routine FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 5. The CPU 5 controls the overall operation of the copying machine 1 by issuing start and stop commands and operation mode setting to other CPUs. After initialization (step S
5100) and starts the internal timer (step S52).
00), the routine time is monitored to be constant (step S5800). In the input data analysis process (step S5300), the data input by the communication by interruption is checked and then the content is analyzed. If the operation mode is changed according to the content, step S540
At 0, the mode setting process is performed. In the command setting process (step S5500), memory write / read control according to the copy mode is executed. After this,
The data is set in the output area for output by communication (step S5600).

(2-3-2) Command Setting FIGS. 18 and 19 show command setting (step S55).
00) is a processing flowchart. First, it is checked whether or not the staple mode is set by the user via the scanning panel OP. If the staple mode is not set here (N in step S5501)
O), reverse scan control is set to execute normal copying (step S5502). If the staple mode is set (YES in step S5501), the normal scan control is set to rotate the image formed on the sheet by 180 degrees (step S550).
3). If the original to be read is a single-sided original (NO in step S5504), or if it is a double-sided original and its front side is to be read (YES in step S5504).
S and NO in step S5507), the set scan control direction is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5).
Along with 505 and step S5508, a scan command is transmitted to request the start of scan operation (steps S5506 and S5509). If the original to be read is a double-sided original (step S5507)
If YES, and if the back side is to be read (step S
YES in 5507), and step S5510 shown in FIG.
Go to.

FIG. 19 shows a command setting process flowchart executed when the back side of a double-sided original is read (YES in step S5507 shown in FIG. 18). The original to be read is a portrait original (step S5
If YES in step S510, NO binding in step S5511 and NO binding in step S5511 are provided on the left side of the document surface (YES in step S5513), and when the document is inserted sideways (YES in step S5512), the document table glass The orientation of the original document conveyed above is the same as that of the front surface. Therefore, the scan control direction set in steps S5501 to 5503 is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521) and the scan command is transmitted (step S5522). On the other hand, when the document is vertically inserted (NO in step S5512), the orientation of the document conveyed on the document table glass is completely opposite to the front side. Therefore, the scan control directions set in step S5515 are exchanged, and the exchanged scan control directions are transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521).
At the same time, the scan command is transmitted (step S55).
22). In the case of a portrait original (YES in step S5510), the binding margin is provided on the upper side (NO in step S5513), and when the document is inserted sideways (YES in step S5514), the original document glass is placed. The orientation of the document conveyed to is the direction rotated by 180 degrees on the surface. Therefore, the scan control directions set in S5515 are exchanged, and the exchanged scan control directions are transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521).
At the same time, the scan command is transmitted (step S55).
22). On the other hand, if it is inserted vertically (step S5)
(NO at 514), the orientation of the original placed on the original glass is the same as the surface of the original. Therefore, the scan control direction set in steps S5501 to 5503 is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5).
521), and transmits the scan command (step S5)
522).

The document to be read is a landscape document (NO in step S5510), there is no binding margin (NO in step S5516), or the binding margin is provided on the upper side of the document surface (N in step S5517).
O), if the document is inserted sideways (YES in step S5519), the orientation of the document conveyed on the platen glass is
Same as the surface. Therefore, the above steps S5501 to
The direction of the scan control set in 5503 is
The scan command is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521) and the scan command is transmitted (step S5522). On the other hand, when it is inserted vertically (N in step S5519)
O), the orientation of the original document conveyed on the original platen glass is completely opposite to the front surface. For this reason, step S5520
The direction of the scan control set by is exchanged, the exchanged scan control direction is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521), and the scan command is transmitted (step S5522). In the case of a landscape document (NO in step S5510), a binding margin is provided on the left side (Y in step S5517).
ES), if inserted sideways (step S5518)
YES), the direction of the document conveyed on the platen glass is the direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front side. Therefore, S55
The scan control directions set in 20 are exchanged, the exchanged scan control directions are transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521), and a scan command is transmitted (step S5522). On the other hand, when the document is inserted in the vertical direction (NO in step S5518), the orientation of the document placed on the document table glass is the same as the surface of the document. Therefore, the scan control direction set in steps S5501 to 5503 is transmitted to the CPU 3 (step S5521) and the scan command is transmitted (step S5522).

(2-4) Processing by CPU 7 (2-4-1) Main Routine FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the main routine of the CPU 7. The CPU 7 controls the document feeding section 500. After the initialization (step S7100), the internal timer is started and the routine time is monitored to be constant (steps S7200 and S7700). Next, the original is separated to correct the skew, and an original feeding process for controlling the conveyance to the conveyance belt 506 is performed (step S7300). After the document size is detected (step S7400), document transport processing is performed to control the positioning of the document to a predetermined reading position by the transport belt 506 and the transport to the reversing roller 507 (step S7500). The delivered document can be discharged as it is, or the conveyor belt 50 can be used.
Document reversal discharge processing is performed to control whether or not the sheet is to be conveyed again to 6 (step S7600).

(2-4-2) Document Size Detection FIGS. 21 and 22 show the size detection subroutine executed in step S7400. First, step S74
In 01, the length S of the document is measured based on the document transportation time in the document transportation unit 500. This is because the document transportation time is proportional to the length of the document. Next, step S740.
At 2, it is determined whether the width flag is "1". The width flag is set by turning on and off the width sensor SE51, and the width sensor SE51 (see FIG. 7) is turned on by a document having a width dimension of B5 horizontal feed or more and sets the width flag to "1". The size of the document is set by the combination of the measured value of the length S and the width flag. 21 and 22, Y means horizontal feed and T means vertical feed. If the width flag is "1" (YES in step S7402), the value of the length S of the document measured in step S7403 is checked. If the value of S is 182 mm or less, step S
In 7404, SIZE is set to B5 horizontal feed. Hereinafter, in accordance with the value of the document length S measured in the same manner, step S74
A predetermined document size is set to SIZE in 05 to S7407. If longer than 420 mm, step S7408
The original size is unknown. Then, step S7409
Reset the width flag to "0". On the other hand, step S
If the width flag is "0" in 7402, the value of the document length S measured in step S7410 is checked. According to the value of S, a predetermined document size is set to SIZE in steps S7411 to S7413. If the value of S is longer than 297 mm, it is determined in step S7414 that the document size is unknown. In this embodiment, the image data is compressed / decompressed, but the present invention can be applied to those that are not compressed / decompressed.

[0049]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an original image can be rotated by 180 degrees and a reverse image can be formed on a sheet without providing a special rotation processing section. The image data read by the imaging unit when the reverse image mode is set by the setting unit is data in which the order of the image data read when the normal image mode is set is completely reversed, and the image forming unit sets the read image data. Images can be formed on paper in real time based on the data. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for an image memory that stores all image data, which has been conventionally required to perform image rotation processing. In the case where a paper binding device is provided, the first setting means is
The stapling mode by the second setting means sets the reverse image mode in accordance with the setting. As a result, a reverse image can be formed on the paper when binding the paper. As a result, it is not necessary to consider the insertion direction of the document, and miscopy can be eliminated. Further, when the document placed on the document table is placed in the direction in which it becomes the opposite image to the document placed immediately before, this is detected and the inverse image mode is set. As a result, it is possible to always form an image in a fixed direction on the paper. As a result, it is possible to save the user the trouble of adjusting the original direction of the copy output and improve the efficiency of the work. Here, the above-mentioned placement direction detecting means detects whether the short side of the document is located parallel to the image pickup element or the long side of the document is located parallel to the image sensor, and whether the document is a portrait document or not. , Or if it is a landscape document, and whether the image on the back side of the document is a normal image or a reverse image to the image on the front side, the image in a certain direction can be more accurately detected. It can be formed on paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A shows a state in which image data of a document placed on a document table is read in a main scanning direction by a scanner including an image sensor, and the scanner is moved in a sub scanning direction. 8A is a diagram showing an output image obtained by the image data reading operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 2A shows a miscopy that occurs when a normal reading operation is performed when the staple mode is set.
(B) shows a copy that occurs when the read image is rotated by 180 degrees.

FIG. 3A shows a left-stitched portrait document, and FIG. 3B shows a top-stitched portrait document.
(C) shows a landscape manuscript bound to the left,
(D) shows a landscape-stitched landscape document.

FIG. 4A shows a state of a document placed on a document table when the document shown in FIG. 3A is laterally inserted into an automatic document feeder, and FIG. 3B shows the state of the original placed on the original table when the original is vertically inserted, and FIG. 3C shows the original shown in FIG. 3C when it is vertically inserted into the automatic document feeder. 3D shows the state of the original placed on the original table, and FIG. 3D shows the state of the original placed on the original table when the original of FIG. 3D is inserted sideways.

FIG. 5 shows an image formed on a sheet in the 2in1 mode.

FIG. 6A is a front view and a back view of a portrait original bound on the upper side, and FIG. 6B is a view showing a state when the original is placed on an original table. .

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the digital copying machine 1 of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an operation panel OP of the copying machine 1.

FIG. 9 is a part of a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 100.

FIG. 10 is a part of a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 100.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the memory unit section 30.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a main routine of the CPU 1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart of input processing (step S1300).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart of input processing (step S1300).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart of input processing (step S1300).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a main routine of the CPU 3.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a main routine of the CPU 5.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a part of a processing flowchart of command setting (step S5500).

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a part of a processing flow chart of command setting (step S5500).

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a main routine of the CPU 7.

FIG. 21 is a document size detection process (step S740
It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart of (0).

FIG. 22 is a document size detection process (step S740
It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart of (0).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-8 ... CPU 10 ... Scanning system 30 ... Memory unit section 103 ... Original direction selection key SE51 ... Sensor 304 ... Image memory 500 ... Original conveying section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device capable of reading image data of a document placed on a document table in a main scanning direction and a direction opposite to the main scanning direction, and an image pickup device in a sub-scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. A moving means capable of moving in a direction opposite to the above, an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on image data read by the image pickup means, and an inverse image mode for forming an inverse image of a document on the sheet. , First setting means for selectively setting a normal image mode for forming a normal image of the original on the sheet, and when the normal image mode is set by the first setting means, image data of the original is set by the image pickup means. When the image pickup means is read in the main scanning direction, the image pickup means is moved in the subscanning direction by the moving means, and the reverse image mode is set by the first setting means, the image data of the original document is set in the opposite direction to the main scan direction by the image pickup means. Let me read from the direction An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for moving in the opposite direction to the sub-scanning direction image pickup means by the moving means with. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a paper binding device that binds a plurality of papers on which images have been formed by the image forming means, and a staple mode that uses the paper binding device. A second setting means for selectively setting the non-staple mode not using the binding device, wherein the first setting means sets the reverse image mode when the staple mode is set by the second setting means, An image forming apparatus, wherein the normal image mode is set when the non-staple mode is set by the second setting means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further, the original placed on the original table is placed in a direction in which the original is placed in a reverse image of the original placed on the original. The loading direction detecting means for detecting the fact that the first direction is detected when the loading direction detecting means detects that the document placed on the document table is placed in the direction in which the image is reversed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches a mode set by a setting unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the placement direction detection means has a short side of the document located parallel to the imaging means or a long side of the document located parallel to the imaging means. Setting direction detecting means for detecting whether the original is a portrait original or a landscape original, and an image on the back side of the original is a normal image with respect to the front side image. Or a reverse image is detected, and the placement direction of the document is detected based on the detection results from the set direction detection means, the document direction detection means, and the back surface detection means. A characteristic image forming apparatus.